The Reality of 'Governor' Ohakim's Visit and the Organizing Committees

by Ambrose Ehirim

The Internet crackpot was at it again. Barely two months in office from an election that was marred by widespread scandals of irregularities, a gullible and vulnerable Imo State indigenes in Diaspora endorsed a fraudulently elected Ohakim's proposed visit to the shores of America.

I read most, if not all, of the comments regarding a governor with the desire to visit the United States who is yet to appoint his commissioners and other related portfolios in the state. Also, I received numerous calls questioning on what basis should Ohakim be visiting U.S. when a case load of unresolved issues are hanging on the state.

I am quite sure many of Ohakim's friends tried to talk him out of it for the fact it was not yet uhuru for a troubled state and the entire 'nation,' even though the supposed beneficiaries of Ohakim's august visit may have felt disappointed for a once in a lifetime opportunity that has eluded them. Of course, the same political stupidity was seen in Achike Udenwa's administration when backlog of teachers and civil servants salaries were left unpaid while the do-nothing ex-governor embarked on touring the United States which became part of a conduit to launder money and shady real estate investments.

In a related discourse, I had argued the governor's visit was uncalled for and did not make any sense for the so-called organizers to be applauding the governor's visit which eventually triggered a net of confusion. Though, I did not expect the confused who had taken one thing to be another to listen to me. All I had been concerned was for the governor not to dabble into some nasty political tactics that has gotten officials of the previous administration into all kinds of trouble.

I heard Ohakim is a good man and has maintained his integrity all along. I also heard he is a man of principle without blemish dating back to his days of stewardship in the Coal City. The question here is: Why would a good man in that capacity allow himself to be dragged by a vulnerable Imo "Diaspora elite" that had lost every sense of purpose in building community? Why would Ohakim who supposedly should know the implications of such a fragile visit start with a dirty slate when he is barely two months in office? Why is it so important that this governor whose election is still questionable be rushing to the States on a visit that has nothing to do with the affairs of state and other pressing problems in Imo? And why should one be paying $50 a plate dinner in what if all had been well and appropriate, a town-hall meeting format with no cover charge?

But somehow, Ohakim listened. His visit as reported in the eleventh hour was postponed or entirely cancelled. What would have been more irresponsible was for his counsels and staffers not making a stronger effort to talk him out of it, or letting him go off on a dangerous mission which could possibly haunt him for the rest of his term in office.

However, in a similar argument I encountered with Innocent Osunwa, the radical teacher who would talk you into the night concretely endorsed Ohakim as a good man, knowing him personally from childhood, and disturbingly stressed Ohakim should not find solace with Imo Diaspora if he wants good governance to prevail in Imo State. "Ohakim should not allow his good name to be tainted by an inept and confused Imo Diaspora bunch," Osunwa continued.

Meanwhile, circulars were rolling around all over the Internet about Imo State Union meeting which would be held at 400 South La Brea Avenue in Inglewood, California. Osunwa talked me into attending the meeting in order to confront the organizers of a $50 dinner plate round table conference with Ohakim. I had considered not going, but Osunwa insisted the only way our "grievances" could add more meaning to discouraging such visits in future would be showing up at the meeting to express our opinion.

On the morning of Sunday, July 15, 2007, Osunwa called me to remind me of Imo State Union meeting as we earlier discussed the past week. I was not sure what made it necessary for me to attend a meeting Osunwa had been tyring to sell to me, even though, his registration as a member expired long time ago. His persuasion had made me consider a whole lot of things: One, I'm Igbo Diaspora; two, I am an Imo indigene residing in Los Angeles where the said meeting is being held; three, I am thinking it's my duty to be responsible for the well-being of my state of origin; four, I am thinking, too, that the only way to effect change is by getting involved and five, I could care less and do not want to be bothered.

I heeded Osunwa's advice and off I go to Imo State Union meeting in Los Angeles. It would be my first as an observer since my name is not on the roll call. I had arrived a little bit behind schedule and bumped into people I have not seen in a while. Not too many folks had arrived, though, which is typical of Igbo-related meetings.

After a long wait for a quorum to be formed, the meeting commenced with the usual opening prayers followed by the rituals of breaking and sharing kola nuts. It was on this day I noticed the unique tradition and cultural heritage of our ancestors had been altered. According to a new fabricated custom, a kola nut must be 'clothed' to avoid its nakedness before sharing. What that means is, cash must be donated generously toward a kola nut clothing before it could be shared among the members. Money donated generously on behalf of the kola nut goes to the coffers of the organization in session. Whatever happened to the status quo?

As it happened, the meeting was in order and top on its agenda was Ohakim's visit. Minutes of the previous meeting was passed through to members and all typographical errors and amendments were made. The question and answer session relating to Ohakim's visit was really fascinating. There were ambitious men who had political interest in Ohakim's administration which had something to do with the $50 dinner plate round table conference and had solidly backed the "governor's" visit on the ground it was good for the people of Imo State in Diaspora. There were, also, curious men who felt delighted to dine and wine with a fraudulently elected governor.

But I did pop the question, nevertheless, which raised some eyebrows. I had questioned the validity of Ohakim's visit and why would he be visiting the shores of this land when he is barely two months in office. I had also questioned the need for applauding a fraudulently elected governor. Hell broke loose after my questioning to a point I was told to "go home and see what will happen to you," that I will not have the privilege to see a governor who stole the peoples mandate. Imagine!

While we are at it as one is weary of pointing out, no one, absolutely no one, seems to remember Ralph Uwazuruike has been indefinitely locked behind bars while his co-defendants - Frederick Fasheun, Ganiyu Adams and Dokubo Asari - who had been accused of the same crime are now walking the streets free of charge. Afenifere and other related Yoruba elite and cultural groups did its job by setting Fasheun and Adams free at all cost. So, too, is Dokubo-Asari. Where is the Igbo leadership?